Impossible cuts asked of higher ed

The plan to slash more than $300 million over two years for college aid faces an incredulous DFL-controlled Legislature certain to take a more conciliatory tone toward college and university presidents bristling at the impossible choices the governor asks them to make.

Pawlenty wants higher ed institutions to refrain from passing on their cuts to students, but insists that if they must, they should keep tuition hikes below inflationary levels